Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Guest Blogger RC Bonitz

Today my guest is author RC Bonitz, who has dared to answer the infamous Rick Reed questions! Brave, brave soul! And he's going to tell us about his latest release, A Little Bit of Blackmail. I'll let him start, while I brew up some cappuccinos over here. Thanks for coming over, RC, why don't you answer the questions first?

The Questions

1) 1)You’re marooned on a small island with one person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you have?

I'd want a good sharp knife for a tool. I remember reading, when I was a kid, about a guy being alone in the woods with nothing but a knife and surviving a week of winter cold that way. Who I'd want with me is the harder question. One of Suzanne Brockmann's Navy Seals, or an Army Ranger? Actually, I'd have to say my son. We'd make a pretty good survival team of our own I think. I don't know if a Seal could build a boat, but my son can.

2) 2)Which musical would you say best exemplifies your life – and which character in that musical are you?

I'm not much for musicals. I think I've seen maybe three or four in my life, and none of them stuck with me.Oklahoma, The Music Man? I'm not even sure of titles. Oh, actually I saw that Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire Christmas story on TV this year. I wouldn't have minded being Bing- he got the girl.

3) 3)Take these three words and give me a 100 word or less scenario using them:stream,anonymous, tread.

She would not remain an anonymous farm girl, living on naught but potatoes and cheese. With twenty miles of damp cold moor behind her, no stream would stay her tread. A string of wet and slippery rocks offered a dangerous crossing, but she did not hesitate.

4) 4)You’ve just been let loose in the world of fiction, with permission to do anyone you want. Who do you fuck first and why?

Ah, you raise provocative questions. Movie stars, or the characters they play to be strictly correct; the heroines of my books or others? I do love my heroines when I write them, but they won't do. When I was seventeen I could have chosen one of those. But, when I turned eighteen a beautiful young woman wrapped a wide red ribbon round my heart. It's still there all these years later, and I still cannot imagine being with anyone but her.

5) 5) What is your idea of how to spend romantic time with your significant other?

Oh, there are lots of ways. Dinner out, a show or dancing after, and then home with candlelight and wine. Or some romantic music on the stereo and that candlelight and wine. I could say a night when I make dinner, but that's every night. So, maybe a night when she makes it?

6) 6) When you start a new story, do you begin with a character, or a plot?

Neither. I usually see a scene in my head that catches my imagination. I often write that scene, then think about where the story might go, or what the issue might be for the heroine. I did that with my current book, A LITTLE BIT OF BLACKMAIL, which starts out when Diane tries to blackmail Brian by mistake. It opens with Diane in a bar, checking out the guys who look the least bit like her sister's description of the creep she's looking for. Only when I'd written that scene did I start on the characters and plot. I actually think I'm halfway between a pantser and a plotter. I sort of plan the turning points in the story and then start "telling" a few scenes. When I'm satisfied with what I have, I write those scenes and then revert to outlining the next few scenes and so on. I just started doing that and find I really like that way of writing.

7) 7) If they were to make the story of your life into a movie, who should play you?

Clint Eastwood, without a doubt. I've been mistaken for him in the past. (In our younger days.)

8) 8) Who’s your favorite horror villain and why?

I'm showing my age again, but I saw the original version of "The Thing" with James Arness as the monster. I still remember the terror I felt when they had no way to stop him and he was breaking down the door to their shelter. No other villain ever got to me that way.

9) 9)Do you have an historical crush and if so, who is it?

I can't say I have, unless you want to call that red ribbon historical.

10 10)Is there a story that you’d like to tell but you think the world isn’t ready to receive it?

One the world isn't ready for? Hmm.I had one in my head a while back that would not go well in the USA.An alliance of other nations invades to stop our continuing wasteful contribution to global warming. I'd almost forgotten about that one. There is another story I haven't finished because it was turning into a tragedy. I like happy endings, but I might go back to that someday.

Thank you for having me Julie. You ask provocative questions.

Tell us something about your book, RC. More whipped cream for your cappucino? Here, have some chocolate shavings too.

When some creep plasters nude photos of Diane's kid sister on the internet, Diane plans a little revenge: seduce the guy until his clothes come off and take his picture. Then it's blackmail time. But has she targeted the wrong guy?

Brian's no stranger to the wiles of beautiful women. Most want him for his money, but Diane has a different objective: to trash his reputation. Furious, Brian resolves to teach her a lesson… until he learns the truth and loses his heart to this daring woman. But to win her trust and convince her he's not the villain, he has to best her at her own game.

Excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

'"Hi beautiful. Waiting for somebody?"

She had watched him approach and wondered if he'd try to hit on her. He was a good-looking guy, with a smile that could light up the bar. Was he the right one though?

She sent him her best smile. "Sort of, but then again…"

"Ah, well, may I?" he asked, pointing to the empty chair across the table.

"Actually, that depends." He was tall and dark and handsome, but he had a bit of a beard. Not a bushy one, more like a country music singer's, small and close trimmed. That didn't quite fit Jessie's description, but he could have grown it in the last two weeks.

He grinned. "You’re waiting for someone special?"

She sighed. How many times had this happened? "I am sort of, but I haven't met him yet. I'm kind of on a blind date, you know?"

Diane smiled again, silently regretting her mission of the moment. He was cute. If only the timing were different. Not tonight, though. She watched him weave his way between the tables to join two other guys. Dumb—she could have gotten his phone number for future reference. Who was she kidding? Things never worked out easily for her, though if she could do this tonight she could probably make anything work.

The bar of the Hotel Lauren was crowded with people, the noise of conversation and clinking glasses almost drowning out the piano player in the corner. Diane let her eyes wander over the place again, taking in the warm wood paneling of the walls and the paintings that adorned them. Unusual decoration for a bar. Prints by Renoir, Matisse, and other Impressionists made the place look a little bit like an art museum. Somebody in charge liked fine art. Or else they were trying to impress.

The place was cozy though, more homey than anything else. The chairs were comfortable and candles glowed on the tables, but the room wasn't dark the way some bars were. Not that she hung out in bars a lot. Actually, she didn't care for them very much; which was probably why she almost never met any hot guys.

She tugged at the hem of her dress and pulled the strap up higher on her shoulder. Again. Why had she bought such a skimpy dress? The black sheath was tighter than her skin, way too short, and way too low in back. And in front. She'd never revealed so much cleavage in her life. But, if you were going to seduce a man, prim and proper wasn't likely to get you anywhere. Whatever, she was totally uncomfortable. Jessie better appreciate this someday.

Her sister's humiliation would end tonight—or maybe tomorrow—once the creep understood what she'd do to him.

That was if she found him, and could seduce him and get the pictures she needed without her boobs falling out of the stupid dress before she finished. And if she got away from him in one piece. Five foot seven if she stretched a bit, with long dark hair and hazel eyes, her one hundred and thirty-six pounds of woman would be no match for a big man who wanted to grab her. Strong and healthy she was, but if he tried to hurt her she might end up in serious trouble. Everything would be fine, though. She was going to help her little sister. On the other hand, she could wave to Mr. Jason Whoever and forget the whole thing.

She studied a new guy as he entered the bar. With his dark, thick hair, broad shoulders, and that fabulous chiseled chin, he was one good looking guy. No beard, clean-shaven; he fit Jessie's description of the creep to a T.

If only Jessie had come with her tonight. All she had to do was identify the guy. After that she could have ducked out and left the rest of the deal to Diane. But of course, Jessie was working nights again this week and neither of them could afford to give up a paycheck. And little sister wanted to forget the whole thing. Just turn her life upside down and let the creep humiliate her without even trying to fight back. Of course, if anyone but her big sister tried to help she might even listen. Jessie acted like such a rebellious teenager sometimes. Well, someday she’d grow up, hopefully, and in the meantime someone had to protect her.

Diane sighed. She'd already picked the wrong guy twice this evening. If she approached every guy in sight someone might take her for a hooker trying to heat up a little business. The bartender had already given her the eye. Apparently, the man took a serious interest in the posh reputation of the hotel. Hah. The creep she was looking for could give him an earful on that score.

This new guy looked like he knew his way around the place. He said something to the pretty young waitress and drew a laugh. Pleased with himself apparently, he smiled as he greeted Mr. Worrywart Bartender, who was setting a drink on the bar as if he'd expected the guy.

The creep lived in the hotel. The staff seemed to know Mr. Handsome, so that fit. He had to be Mr. Brian Smith. What a shame. A guy who looked like he did should be a dream. Not a pervert.

Trembling with excitement and more than a touch of fear, she downed a hefty gulp of wine and almost choked. Her throat was as tight as the stupid dress. Palms suddenly slippery with sweat, she set the wine down before she dropped the glass. If she were going to go through with this, it was time to move.

She gave one last tug at the dress. Abandoning the Chardonnay, she began to drift through the crowd, heading for the empty bar stool next to Mr. Creep.

"Is this taken?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice from breaking. Cool, Diane, the secret word is cool. You have to come across as sexy-sultry, not a ditzy drip.

This sounds very interesting, RC, I look forward to reading it. Thanks for being here today! It's been a blast!